Controlled assembly of charged nanoparticles using functionalized graphene nanomesh

Abstract

A method, an apparatus and an article of manufacture for attracting charged nanoparticles using a graphene nanomesh. The method includes creating a graphene nanomesh by generating multiple holes in graphene, wherein each of the multiple holes is of a size appropriate to a targeted charged nanoparticle, selectively passivating the multiple holes of the graphene nanomesh to form a charged ring in the graphene nanomesh by treating the graphene nanomesh with chemistry yielding a trap with an opposite charge to that of the targeted nanoparticle, and electrostatically attracting the target charged nanoparticle to the oppositely charged ring to facilitate docking of the charged nanoparticle to the graphene nanomesh.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for attracting charged nanoparticles using a graphene nanomesh, comprising:
 creating a graphene nanomesh by generating multiple holes in graphene, wherein each of the multiple holes is of a size appropriate to a targeted charged nanoparticle; 
 selectively passivating the multiple holes of the graphene nanomesh to form a charged ring in the graphene nanomesh by treating the graphene nanomesh with chemistry yielding a trap with an opposite charge to that of the targeted nanoparticle; and 
 electrostatically attracting the target charged nanoparticle to the oppositely charged ring to facilitate docking of the charged nanoparticle to the graphene nanomesh. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the charged ring comprises a positively charged ring. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the charged ring comprises a negatively charged ring. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating multiple rings in the graphene nanomesh, wherein the multiple rings include positively charged rings and negatively charged rings. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein generating multiple holes leaves active carbon sites at edges of the multiple holes. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein generating multiple holes in graphene comprises generating multiple holes each of a size in a range of approximately 5-50 nanometers. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein selectively passivating the multiple holes of the graphene nanomesh to form a charged ring in the graphene nanomesh by treating the graphene nanomesh with chemistry yielding a trap with an opposite charge to that of the targeted nanoparticle comprises selectively passivating the multiple holes followed by a treatment with a base to form a ring of negative charge around a perimeter of each hole. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein selectively passivating the multiple holes of the graphene nanomesh to form a charged ring in the graphene nanomesh by treating the graphene nanomesh with chemistry yielding a trap with an opposite charge to that of the targeted nanoparticle comprises selectively passivating the multiple holes with an acid to form a ring of positive charge around a perimeter of each hole. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein selectively passivating the multiple holes of the graphene nanomesh to form a charged ring in the graphene nanomesh by treating the graphene nanomesh with chemistry yielding a trap with an opposite charge to that of the targeted nanoparticle comprises passivating edges of the multiple holes with a NH 2  group. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein selectively passivating the multiple holes of the graphene nanomesh to form a charged ring in the graphene nanomesh by treating the graphene nanomesh with chemistry yielding a trap with an opposite charge to that of the targeted nanoparticle comprises passivating edges of the multiple holes with HX, wherein X is a halogen. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein selectively passivating the multiple holes of the graphene nanomesh to form a charged ring in the graphene nanomesh by treating the graphene nanomesh with chemistry yielding a trap with an opposite charge to that of the targeted nanoparticle comprises passivating edges of the multiple holes with an alkyl halide. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein selectively passivating the multiple holes of the graphene nanomesh to form a charged ring in the graphene nanomesh by treating the graphene nanomesh with chemistry yielding a trap with an opposite charge to that of the targeted nanoparticle, wherein the charge is concentrated in an edge of the multiple holes to form docking positions for the targeted nanoparticle. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein selectively passivating the multiple holes of the graphene nanomesh to form a charged ring in the graphene nanomesh by treating the graphene nanomesh with chemistry yielding a trap with an opposite charge to that of the targeted nanoparticle comprises controlling termination of one or more carbon dangling bonds. 
     
     
       14. A functionalized graphene nanomesh for attracting positively charged nanoparticles, comprising:
 a graphene sheet with multiple holes generated thereon to form a graphene nanomesh, wherein each of the multiple holes is of a size appropriate to a targeted positively charged nanoparticle; and 
 a negatively charged ring formed in each hole in the graphene nanomesh by selectively passivating the multiple holes followed by a treatment with a base. 
 
     
     
       15. The functionalized graphene nanomesh of  claim 14 , wherein each hole is of a size in a range of approximately 5-50 nanometers. 
     
     
       16. The functionalized graphene nanomesh of  claim 14 , wherein the negatively charged rings form docking positions for the targeted positively charged nanoparticle. 
     
     
       17. A functionalized graphene nanomesh for attracting negatively charged nanoparticles, comprising:
 a graphene sheet with multiple holes generated thereon to form a graphene nanomesh, wherein each of the multiple holes is of a size appropriate to a targeted negatively charged nanoparticle; and 
 an amine functionalized graphene nanomesh rendered positively charged with treatment with an acid. 
 
     
     
       18. The functionalized graphene nanomesh of  claim 17 , wherein each hole is of a size in a range of approximately 5-50 nanometers. 
     
     
       19. The functionalized graphene nanomesh of  claim 17 , wherein the positively charged rings form docking positions for the targeted negatively charged nanoparticle.